Fertilizer

In the 5 ag stories to read this week, Extension experts advise scouting for stink bugs and for Southern corn rust. Learn about options for crop insurance payments on prevented plant acres and options for rescue nitrogen applications. Finally, enjoy a gallery of old farm equipment laying around in the back 40.

In the 5 ag stories to read this week, get tips on managing giant ragweed during the late growing season and learn about new research that could lead to less dependence on nitrogen application. Take a poll on fungicide use this year and see how drought conditions have changed since planting season. Finally, enjoy a tribute to farm dogs in the latest parody from Farmer Derek.

Crop condition ratings in parts of the Corn Belt are on a steady downward trend, mostly due to standing water, whether from earlier this summer or right now, says Emerson Nafziger, University of Illinois crop scientist. Soil nitrogen levels have also fallen considerably, he says, dropping to 50 lbs/acre or below in the top 2 feet of soil....More

Corn plants take up and use a large amount of nitrogen during the growing season. Making sure the plant has access to nitrogen as it approaches flowering can improve yields. In-season nitrogen applications help ensure the plant has adequate nitrogen to fuel kernel development....More

In the 5 ag stories to read this week, Extension experts offer insight into nitrogen needs, particularly in fields with wet soils. Get tips for reducing spray drift and read about volumetric versus fractional levels in the RFS. Check fields for ragweed and control any growing plants, and finally, enjoy some fun turkey facts for Turkey Lovers month!

Nitrate management in tile water is a big reason why this water control structure has slowly gained a foothold in the Corn Belt, but its potential for providing timely water to corn and soybeans may spell the future for this underground tile water management tool....More

In the 5 ag stories to read this week, experts remind you to be on the lookout for soybean aphids, and offer the best options for sidedressing nitrogen this summer. Read and watch testimony from the latest GMO labeling hearing, and check out a calendar for when to scout different corn pests. Finally, enjoy a list of ways you know you grew up in the country.

Despite the challenges of collecting and interpreting soil nitrate samples, the practice remains a valuable tool to guide farmers when making the decision whether to apply or not apply additional sidedress nitrogen in fields that received the majority of nitrogen as pre-plant applications, say Iowa Soybean Association On-Farm Network® researchers....More

In the 5 ag stories to read this week, get some considerations for replanting corn and get insight into taking control of weed resistance management. Learn some facts about the impact of trade on farms and ranches, and read some tips for sidedressing nitrogen. Finally, consider becoming a voice for agriculture by being a young leader.

Will you sidedress nitrogen on corn this year?

Fertilizer research shows strong value in sidedressing nitrogen for greater efficiency when the corn crop needs it more. We'd like to know if you sidedress nitrogen on your corn crop. Is it something you don't even want to consider because of the risk of not getting into the field? Or, do you sidedress all of your corn acres? Do you fall somewhere in between? Take our poll and let us know. Please leave a comment with how many corn acres, or what percentage of your acreage, you sidedress with nitrogen.